DC issues advisory on building safety

A REPORTER

SHILLONG, April 27: The State of Meghalaya falls in Zone V of the Seismic Zotion Map of India. Zone V is characterized by area which has highest vulnerability to earthquakes. The State of Meghalaya has a history of being hit by high magnitude earthquakes. As part of preparedness measure, the Deputy Commissioner & Chairman, DDMA, East Khasi Hills district has issued the following advisory for general safety of all building owners in the State. The citizens are advised to always consult an Architect/Engineer for planning and designing of any building and while constructing the buildings one needs to ensure that planning norms and codal regulations are strictly followed for structural design as laid down in Meghalaya Building Bye Laws, 2011. To ensure this, use of branded IS marked steel bars and branded cement is recommended. Care should also be taken while casting structural RCC elements especially in the intersection of beam and columns. Further, the DC has issued advisory that building projections such as cantilevered slabs and pergolas should be constructed only as per design of Engineers/Architects as they are highly vulnerable to structural failure during an earthquake. Care should be taken while designing and embedding non-structural components such as glass panel, claddings, parapet walls, chimneys, book shelves, etc, to prevent collapse during an earthquake. In case of existing and old buildings, the owners may get their building examined by Architect/Engineer to determine the structural safety keeping in view of codal requirements for Zone V. In case of any building found unsafe, necessary strengthening/retrofitting measures should be adopted on the advice of an Architect/Engineer.